i was diagnosed with arthritis in my shoulder yesterday. i am scared about what it means

[nowwearefour]

i have had lots and lots of pain there for 12 years or so, for no apparent reason. i have been to see all sorts of medical practitioners in that time, but any relief was always temporary. finally i was referred to a top top shoulder specialist who thinks it is what i have suspected for some time- arthritis.i have an mri scan on tuesdya to confirm this. he said there are things you can do t sort it out. i was too scared to ask what these are. i guess it depends what type of arthritis it is. anyone else got any experience of this?

No, but I'm sorry you're going through this.

Does it run in the family?

MY grandmother had arthritis in both her hips and had them replaced in old age. So I guess it does. I got it when I was 20ish though which is quite young i think

There are probably plenty of your relations, going back in time, people you have never met, who suffered from arthiritis whilst young.

Any how, go for your scan on Tuesday, listen to what they have to tell you, and do everything they tell you. If you bury your head in the sand (perfectly understandably, btw), the pain will just get worse.

It's easier to face when you know what it is. I hope all goes well .. and that the treatment prescribed for you is effective

are they going to operate?
or do physiotherapy.. or dont you know?

My mum has had Rhematoid arthritis for the last 35 years, it is very different to osteo though, in that it is caused by a virus, which makes your bodies immune system attack the joints. Osteoarthritis is a wear and tear issue.

Have they given you blood tests?

havent had any blood tests yet- i suspect they might if the mri shows up nothing. thanks my husband is going to come with me to the next consultant appointment and ask the questions i am too scared to ask and make sure i do do everything i am told to. the pain is really bad so i need something to happen.

sorry- thereal- i dont yet know what they are going to do. i think it will depend on the results of the investigations. physio just hasnt worked in the past...

i thought rheumaoid arthritis mainly affected small joints, fingers, wrists etc.,? although i am sure it affects knees too - so i might be completely wrong

yes i thought that too. the scary thing is i have been getting pain in wrists and fingers recently. also there are more than 1 shoulder joint pparently.

It mainly affects small joints but in severe cases it can affect the larger joints too.

I am wary of saying too much, don't want to scare the OP but, it is not pleasant. However they can control the pain but, it means you will be taking pain medication for the rest of your life. Although having said that, there are theories that you can manage it with diet, although my mum has never tried that tack.

oh dear.
well at least you are not waiting long for MRI

yes thanks. i am ashamed to admit it is because i have gone back to work and gotten BUPA. The NHS just would not take my pain seriously at all and i got fobbed off with positional problems etc. but it is great that something seems to be happening now. i am now thinking that it is better to know what it is and get it sorted as it wont make it worse actually knowing what it is.

I've just realised that my last post doesn't make for very reassuring reading! Sorry.

But I agree, it is better to know and then you will be able to make decisions about how you will tackle it. My mum has a very understanding doctor and has been active for many years, it's only now that it's starting to take its toll.